Board of Trustees Meeting

December 7, 2006

Board of Trustees Approves Bond Issue

At the December meeting, the Shawnee Community College Board of Trustees approved the next step in issuing debt certificate revenue bonds in the amount of $6.2 million to cover the costs associated with numerous infrastructure improvements and new construction projects, which will allow the college to continue to grow and meet the needs of current and future students and employers in the region. The additional funding will provide revenue for the following projects.
A new sanitary sewage treatment system will replace the original lagoon system that cannot handle the current usage and does not meet EPA standards. New piping connecting the roof top cooling units on two of the buildings on main campus with the master cooling unit is needed to replace the old piping, which has deteriorated beyond repair. The campus-wide fiber optic network will be completed. Construction of a new Career Technology Center will be added to the main campus. This building will house existing programs, which are currently located in substandard and inadequate facilities on campus, and at off-campus facilities. The center will also provide space for training in new and emerging programs that will produce graduates that are needed by employers in the region.
Construction of a new Medical Arts and Sciences building will provide expanded state of the art facilities for the nursing and allied health programs of the college. The building will also provide space for a new fitness and rehabilitation center, and a student activities center which does not currently exist on campus. Both of the new buildings will include additional classrooms, laboratories, office space, and storage. Extension centers will also be upgraded and expanded as needed.
Finally, these additions will allow the college to dedicate existing facilities on main campus to a new state of the art rural health clinic which is anticipated to provide telemedicine opportunities to the students, staff, and community at large. Pulaski County currently does not have any health care providers. The nearest medical assistance is the ambulance service at Mounds.
The Board of Trustees has the authority under current state statutes to issue revenue bonds for such projects as listed above. A special meeting is required in which members of the public may comment on the proposed projects.

Announcements:

Foundation Update
The 100-bed student housing plans are beginning to take shape. In order to keep moving the construction plans forward, the foundation has been working to receive finalized loan approvals for the housing project. The foundation is continuing to sell raffle tickets for a flat screen plasma television. The winner will be drawn December 15.

Tim Frizzell Employed
Tim Frizzell of Grand Chain was employed as the Educational Center Program Coordinator. Tim has been working with the theatre department for several years, while teaching English part-time for the college. In this new role, Tim will be responsible for theatre department productions, as well as special events scheduled at the college.


Action Items Approved by the Board of Trustees:

• Approved the fall 2006 graduation list.
• Approved the treasurer's bond.
• Approved the appliance lab fee.
• Approved the 2007-2009 college catalog.
• Approved the proposed tax levy.
• Approved the resolution setting and describing in detail, outstanding claims against the district, declaring its intention to issue bonds for the purpose of funding and paying claims against the district, and directing that notice of such intention be published as provided by law.

     
Personnel Items Approved by the Board of Trustees:

• Approved the ratification of employment of part-time faculty/staff for fall semester 2006 and spring semester 2007.
• Approved the employment of Tim Frizzell as Educational Center Program Coordinator.
• Approved the executive session minutes to determine continued confidentiality.